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6" x 9" Trade Paperback Edition Starkishia: Estrella is a story about a little girl who grew up too fast to feel the grass wear thin under the soles of her shoes. Abuse thickened her skin, yet her nightmares were as dark as they were real. The library became her sanctuary where stories took her to another place and time. But, in reality there was nothing imaginary about the bruises under her clothing as she advanced from one classroom to another during middle school, or nothing fictitious about being molested by the maggot hands of a despicable relative. Her plight was hidden in a small town in Georgia, just as her physical abuse was disregarded by the school’s social worker. This colored child was brought into this world by her 14 year old mother who was ruthlessly dominated by her husband. Starkishia loved her mother above all else; her step-father who provided shelter for them witnessed her birth and helped raise her. She consumed pieces of joy, but sometimes she received broken reprisals and ended up walking down the dark road alone; yet in some fortunate way humanity was always within reach. After her parents split up, Starkishia and her family ended up in Texas. Single parenthood changed their family structure forevermore. Starkishia became a wage earner at age 13; she also became homeless the following year. She was, for years, engulfed by her impoverished and dysfunctional environment. She married a native of Mexico a few days after her 15th birthday. He nicknamed her ‘Estrella’ a Spanish term which means ‘Star.’ It goes without saying that Starkishia was born in the land of opportunity, but it was not exactly within her reach. Yes, she was her grandmother’s star, but she was a statistic of minimal proportions as far as small town and suburbia America was concerned. Shortly after marriage, she became a mother. Afterward the life of this teen went downhill at lightning speed. Many readers will identify with her; for, she walked away from her husband broken hearted; then, she fell in love with another man, and as new babies arrived, she took her limited funds and focused on the lives of those under her roof; in time, her parental absence to her oldest two children turned flat out into abandonment. Have mercy! Starkishia was a lost teen, but through grace she eventually became a productive woman in American society. Meredith Etc., a small press, proudly introduces readers to Starkishia: Estrella, a story about the perils of teen parenthood, economic dispossession, and the charity of new beginnings. Meredith Coleman McGee, Acquisition Editor Meredith Etc., a small press Jackson, Mississippi, USA www.meredithetc.com

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Starkishia is a native of Swainsboro, Georgia. Today she works in the healthcare profession in Jackson, Mississippi where she and her significant other are raising their two sons. Starkishia: Estrella, a memoir, is Starkishia’s first work. She is presently in the process of co-authoring another memoir with a Mississippi history maker.

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What an incredible story and a courageous soul to tell it! Estrella has some of everything: child abuse and neglect; teenage pregnancy; immigrant/minority issues; interracial dating/cultural issues; undiagnosed mental illness; and a peek into the world of the South - and not from a "Southern Belle" perspective. I believe this book could easily turn into film or play because it discusses some real social problems and the storytelling is riveting - you won't be able to put this book down as you go along the ride with Estrella. You will cry for her and hope for her as you turn each page! Interestingly, there's also some witty humor, candor, and amazing forgiveness to look forward to. I could go on and on - it's a MUST read!

I read this book in 2 days.. This book is great from the beginning to the end...It made me mad, laugh & cry....it was a wonderful read...Can't wait for more books from this author....Starkishia gets 2 thumbs up! !!!

What an amazing look at what an individual can endure and still come out better on the other side.

Starkishia takes you into the life of the author, letting you feel what she experienced, read about what impacted her life at a young age and see who she was able to keep moving forward and succeeding. The author's story will definitely inspire others to realize they are not what others say about them. They can choose to be the best of themselves and know that this is enough.

It also reminds us that everyone is worthy of love, and when you are able to find that individual or those who truly love you for you it will help to enhance your life in ways you could not have imagined.

One of those books that makes you appreciate where you are and what you have, realizing how it could all be gone tomorrow. Starkishia's life is proof that in spite of the challenges we face there is hope for us all.

Whew... Just got through reading! A child's love for his or her mother is definitely unbreakable no matter what. It was definitely hard to put the book down! I really commend Starkishia for sharing her story. Hopefully, her testimony will encourage other young ladies going through similar situations to open up and tell their life's experience. The ending had me a little disappointed because I thought Starkishia was going to change her mind at the last minute and take the kids back to the states with her. Great book! Hopefully she will be reunited with her kids soon and I will be reading Starkishia Estrella Reunited...

I read this book and couldn't put it down. The courage it must have taken to tell her story is astounding. I felt so many emotions after reading this book. It is an Awesome book and I know this is not the last time we will hear from Starkisha.. Thanks Starkisha for inspiring me.